BEER REVIEW: 354

BREWER: Elusive Brewing, Berkshire, England

STYLE: Double West Coast Red IPA

ABV: 8%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

X: @ElusiveBrew

INSTAGRAM: elusivebrew

DATE OF POST: 19th July 2024

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Well well well, here we are at stop three of our trek along Elusive’s Oregon Trail. Last week was the DIPA version. This week it’s the turn of the Double Red West Coast IPA version.

Noooooooooooow, the original and DIPA clearly stood side by side in style. Very different beers yes, but you could tell they both came from the same beginnings. This Red version however is a step away from this, fairly predicably I suppose. The similarities to the other two are the creamy mouthfeel and bitterness level. However, the flavour is altogether different, again, probably fairly predicably.

Double Sunset for me has what seemed like a grape undertone. Sounds odd I know but trust me here, it’s delightful. This all starts with the wonderful nose and moves straight into the sip along with the standard, wanted and necessary bitter hop hit that immediately intensifies. It’s almost like two bitter hits back to back. Pretty amazing. As you settle into the brew the grape theme continues but is joined by a medicinal vibe (again, trust me, amazing) and a malty backbone. All held together by the ever present bitterness. Nearer the end it’s a little cloying (again, this is totally fine) and a touch sweet which helps balance everything out very nicely.

Probably more suited to be drunk in the autumn or winter but nevertheless, it’s cracker of a brew!!

Next week the sun comes down on our trek of Elusive’s Oregon Trail with the Double Midnight Black IPA take.

EX. CIIII. TED.

Jymi’s Rating: 88%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

First up, this is categorised as a west coast double red Indian pale ale – put that in your campfire pipe and smoke it for a beer type.  

Ok, Double Sunset Oregon Trail pours a rich, deep amber with a slight haze, crowned with a creamy, off-white head that looks pretty immaculate. All in all, the colour does actually beautifully complement the beer’s name, evoking the hues of a double sunset.

Double Sunset Oregon Trail offers a very delicately balanced taste profile. The initial tangy tamarind flavour gives way to a long, bitter grapefruit finish that stretches your tastebuds. It’s intense and satisfying, delivering a true bang for your buck.

The mouthfeel is robust yet smooth, with a lingering depth of feel that leaves you wanting more. It’s fair to say it’s quite a substantial beer, perfect, perhaps, for savouring slowly.

As the third instalment in this series, Double Sunset Oregon Trail is pretty immense. Third parts of trilogies can be shaky and fall off the cliff into oblivion, but this beer holds its own. It’s a standout in the series, which has already set the bar high, and with part four on the horizon, expectations are sky high.

This beer is a must-try for fans of West Coast IPAs. It’s well-crafted with a memorable name and most importantly a flavour profile that doesn’t disappoint. 

Looking forward to the next release in this exciting series!

Sammy’s Rating: 92%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 90%

MOB review next weekend: DOUBLE MIDNIGHT OREGON TRAIL by ELUSIVE BREWING

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Twitter: @museonbooze

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